Claude Debussy
Monsieur Croche. Tutti gli scritti

«Without undue pride, I think I can say that these three pieces will live on and take their place in piano literature to the left of Schumann or to the right of Chopin». These are the words with which Debussy described, in a letter to his publisher, the first series of Images, one of his greatest masterpieces, which would be followed the next year by the second series. I think this quote is perfect for introducing the review of the book in question: Monsieur Croche. All the Writings, the title of which refers to the title that Debussy himself used to collect his first critical writings: Monsieur Croche the Anti-Dilettante. Monsieur Croche is a fictional character, created by the French composer, behind whom Debussy himself hides, in the attempt to be as severe as possible towards the pieces or composers he did not view favorably or whose music he did not appreciate.